-2-

This territory was new to me; nothing was planned; nothing researched. I was walking into something extremely dangerous.

I could have rejected Darius, I should have declined him but that was the problem of my condition, of being half human. That side is weak, feeble and always chooses wrong.

The two brothers walked a small distance ahead, discussing something in a low mummer which I couldn't decipher. This was such a stupid idea; I glanced to the girl next to me, her hand holding the fabric upon my calf muscle, the other tangled in her golden hair.

She turned to me and smiled wide, she truly was magnificent. The fear once radiating her every feature had developed into excitement, the naivety of what she was walking into was too much of a tragedy to bear. I resumed looking forward as we stepped out of the hall and into a lobby representing the same as before, however, containing the other member of their party- I had never wanted my helmet so much before as her muddy eyes spotted me.

"I knew it was you under there!" The witch, who I also knew as Gloria, stood with one hand cocked upon her slim waist and a very smug smirk. I casually glanced around the room whilst she spoke, mentally marking all the available exits. "Girl, when was the last time we saw each other; ten, twelve years ago?"

"Eight." I replied sharply, catching the end of her droning voice, my eyes flashed to hers and locked whilst I continued "at the Edison trial in Belgium."

I doubt she could forget such an event, a Warlock from her clan was prosecuted for the murder of his vampire master, Edison- I had been the one to snap the neck of a female vampire attempting to rescue the Warlock as he was sentenced to death. She proclaimed her love for him with her last breath and almost romantically, tragically; they died together on the same court room floor.
Gloria's clan was sickened with the thought of a Warlock and a Vampire; they sneered at the bloody bodies on the floor and almost applauded over the act I had committed. It made me hate witches more. I specifically remember Gloria praising me afterwards, little did she know I would have ended her if I wasn't under strict commands- she was obviously still oblivious.

I watched her intake a breath, her vision frost over for a moment as she remembered that night- her eyes became fiery with disgust but warm once more as they landed upon me.

"And still the same as ever," She almost sighed, taking time to search my stern features before adding gently "an angel's face with the devil's eyes." Her smile was soft, barely visible but her feelings were clear- she felt pity for me.

My head dropped ever so slightly, my eyes, a jaded green much darker than Aurora's, had the tendency to inflict fear. I was glowering at Gloria, my jaw had locked, my teeth clenched- all in reaction to that one emotion.

Gloria assumed too much from too little. I had acquired too many soft features; fair skin which looked too smooth, dark long lashes which curled delicately, gentle curves which defined my small waist. All things which masked the pain I was capable of inflicting. I looked young, pure, innocent.

Many had referred to me as a fallen angel- it was possibly the most accurate description.

But the pity which followed such descriptions, the sorrow others felt for the troubles they'd presumed I'd encountered- enraged the vicious part of me.

"Nice to see my girls are getting along." A raspy voice with a strong accent interrupted my thoughts; I noted Gloria had taken a step away with Klaus now stood beside her. Good, I wanted her to be scared.

"We've met before." Gloria seemed to answer in a trance; she tried to look at me but that action fell short and landed on the ground- my gaze, a warning, stayed transfixed upon her.

Klaus seemed to watch our interaction with fascination, a cruel smirk curving his lips before I noted his eyes upon me. Small fingers seemed to tighten upon my leg for a moment.

"And what do we call you, love?" He asked with the slight raise of his brow, I hated the fact his accent made me think of home. I hadn't been to England for such a long time… needless to say, I didn't reply to his question. I didn't see the point in answering something that had no relevance to the matter at hand. Escorting this girl, didn't need my name for completion.

I turned my vision to the ground in response.

"She doesn't have a name." Gloria answered for me, my vision snapped back to hers and my growl became barely audible. She faced the floor once more.

"Well then, Love it is." Klaus added lightly, much more interested in the way I was reacting to Gloria, I presumed, before he spoke again. "We'll be leaving in an hour so perhaps you'll want to dress in something more casual?"

I finally managed to tear my gaze away from Gloria, I could almost feel the wave of relief which washed through her and before I knew it, she had already left the lobby.

Klaus raised an eyebrow as he waited for a response and I could tell the slight nod of my head wasn't what he wanted to see but speaking was also unnecessary for this task. I only wished to provoke Gloria so that she would remember, so that she would stay away from me- I didn't want any interaction, I didn't need it.

Before Klaus could continue the conversation I was gone, taking Aurora with me in my arms. She seemed to enjoy that as she giggled until I reached the hotel room I'd previously escorted her from and set her down upon the carpeted inside.

She made a quiet whining noise and stared up at me with a pouted lip, I couldn't help the laugh which escaped- it took a lot more than that for me to be persuaded.

But her green eyes widened and her bottom lip quivered. I rolled my eyes and once more she was in my arms, her own around my neck whilst she gleamed.

"Come on, I'll help you get your things together." I mockingly groaned, causing her to laugh again. "Do you go in the suit case too?"

"No, silly!" She giggled.

"Are you sure, I'm pretty sure you'd fit?" Scrunching my face I looked over her in my arms and then back to the suitcase on the bed; her little features seemed to become concerned for a moment until she caught my light smile.

It didn't take long to pack all of Aurora's things; she was already wearing a dark purple dress with thick black tights and black shiny shoes. With the addition of a white, fluffy coat, she was ready to go.

My bags were already packed, everything ready to take and awaiting home. I sighed as I rummaged through all my folded clothes to find some navy, fitted jeans, a black tank top, flat leather boots and my worn leather jacket.

I shook my heavy, russet hair out from its previously tight bun and re-did it back into a high ponytail scraped clean off my face. Having long hair was always annoying with a job like mine, almost inadequate but it would only grow back if I cut it, so I barely ever wore it down for the nuisance it caused.

Well before the hour was up both I and Aurora's things were packed, we were awaiting at the entrance of the grand hotel. My broken helmet still tucked under my arm. I barely noticed Aurora playing with the ends of my hair resting upon my back whilst I planned out my next moves.

As soon as Aurora was in Klaus' property- I would leave. I couldn't risk another word after that time.

I would not usher a word to Klaus that was not necessary. I could not risk becoming neither an interest nor a threat to him, I knew he was stronger than me and I didn't need him to think otherwise- if he did, he'd end me. If he does know what I am, he might already be planning my demise, which was all the more reason to get out of there as soon as I could.

I sensed them enter the room before I saw them, without thinking I was stood and Aurora copied, once more holding the tight fabric of jeans- just an inch above her fingers a thin knife was strapped there, another band of weapons wrapped around my torso. One of the reasons I hated dressing casually was because I had nowhere to put my weapons…

"I won't say anything, I promise." That small voice suddenly piped up sending a whole new concern throughout me.

She could hear me.

Did they hear Aurora? Had she just dubbed me it in?

Glancing in their direction the brothers seemed immersed in conversation, Gloria not even daring to look my way. I allowed myself some comfort in that but not much,

Aurora was smiling up at me and then her small arms stretched out for me.

I almost laughed. Was this child black mailing me? I saw her grin widen, only confirming my worries that she could indeed hear me and that she was indeed a little viper.

Taking her in my free arm she learnt into my neck whispering directly into my ear, "What's a viper?"

I shook my head softly and laughed before placing a finger to my lips then rolling my eyes in the direction of our group- indicating for her to be quiet; she copied my action and nodded. This girl was indeed a rarity; I couldn't help but smile at her.

They approached and I quickly masked my emotions.

"I see we're all ready?" Klaus asked whilst his eyes glanced warily between me and the small girl now resting in the crook of my arm, I felt a slight nod from her and nearly laughed at her evident copy-cat behaviour.

Klaus, however, smirked, "Follow us, lovelies," he was already walking away- his hand beckoning us to follow.

Our bags were taken to the car for us, reluctantly, I allowed the courier to take my helmet not before sending him a warning glare to be cautious. I made sure to keep an eye on my things, making sure they were truly deposited in the same black, Land Rover I was in. Thankfully, we weren't sharing cars, unfortunately- Gloria was in this one.

I caught her many times opening her mouth to attempt some feeble conversation; I silenced her each time with the flash of my eyes. Aurora seemed contempt with staring out the window; I looked over her head to note the buildings we were passing.

I was hoping Klaus' property wasn't too far from here; right now, here being New York. My body was tingling with warning signs, all indicating that I shouldn't be here and the more and more buildings we past the more, the tingles vibrated.

After about 20 minutes, the car pulled onto what seemed to be the motorway where I noted a blue sign and the image of a small, white aeroplane… I had to shut my eyes for a moment and take a breath as it dawned upon me, we were going to the airport.

This was worse than I ever anticipated, being stuck in the air with two originals, a witch I despised and I child who could read my thoughts. I had to get out of here.

Aurora sensed my panic or rather heard it; I opened my eyes to see her face filled with concern. There truly wasn't a way out of this. I slumped back against the head rest, ignoring Gloria who had begun asking things I wasn't going to answer and waited for the next part of this horrific journey.